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Monday 9th February 2015
Our German neighbours leave, so, we quickly arrange to swap to "their" pitch, because it is a sun-trap.
We then proceed to spend the day lying about in the sun.
Tuesday 10th February 2015
Despite the weather forecast, which says it is going to rain, we are greeted with a clear blue sky and brilliant sunshine.
After yesterdays idleness, we decide to walk along the "Via Verde", a disused railway line, which has been converted to a cycle track / footpath /jogging track.
We know from earlier in our stay, that parts of it are impassable because there are works in progress to lay new pipes for drainage. But, we are told, by a fellow camper, there is a diversion on the route which takes you north towards the next town/village, Orpessa.
Sure enough, there is a diversion, not very well signposted, well, to be honest, you would never find it, unless you knew it was there!
It is all worthwhile, a very scenic traffic free route along the coast.
We will definitely be back, with the bicycles, says Kathleen.
Watch this space.
We have the place more or less to ourselves, just a few cyclists and one other walker.
Kathleen is still on a crusade to reduce our alcohol intake, so, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays have been declared "non-drinking days.
As we head back towards Benicassim, after six miles of walking, the sun is shining, a sprinkling of beach side bars/cafes have opened up, to catch the passing trade.
Yes, this is Kathleen, on a "non drinking" day.
I am told a beer does not count as "drinking".
Saturday 7th February 2015
The day begins overcaste, so, we do all of the domestic chores in the morning.
By lunch time the sun is shining and we are out walking.
Sunday 8th February 2015
The bizarre weather continues, 0C overnight, it warms up to 1C by the time I take Kathleen to Church on the scooter.
It would appear today is some form of Saints day in Benicassim (Romeria Santa Agueda), as we ride into the main street, they are setting off fireworks (bangers and rockets) at 09:00am! There are children handing out scarves and Kathleen is presented with one to mark the occasion.
By the time Kathleen returns from Church, it is a very pleasant 17C.
We go out on the bicycles, for a ten mile pedal along the coast, followed by a very pleasant lunch.
Kathleen, possibly the worlds most picky eater, excels herself, first by eating the "nibbles", even although she is not sure what is in them, then, by having Paella Valencia as her main course.
The very pleasant English speaking waitress assures Kathleen, the Paella does not contain any sea food, but, I think she has got her animals mixed up. She tells Kathleen it contains chicken (which it did) and pork. All I can say is, they must be very small pigs in Spain, ie, about the size of a rabbit.
Never-the-less, it all goes down, including the artichokes, another first.
Wednesday 4th February 2015
It would appear the weather here is even more topsy-turvy than the UK!
Sleet first thing this morning.
Cold but dry by 12:00, enough time to walk into town, register at the Library for the free WiFi in the town, and, to buy a Spanish data SIM. Necessary because 3's "free roaming" deal does not begin in Spain until April 2015. The good news is, between the favourable exchange rate and falling prices in Spain, it is only 15Euro (£11) for 3Gb of data.
By 15:00, sun is shining and it is warm enough to sit outside for a while.
Thursday 5th February 2015
We wake to a decided chilly morning!
Reading the BBC News on-line, I see there are reports of major snow storms further north in Spain (around Santander), roads blocked, people trapped in their cars etc etc.
Not sure if this is the usual scare mongering we are used to, or, time to follow Bryan and Joan's advice and head for Morocco!
Panic over, by 10:30, the sun has chased away the chill and we are able to have a very pleasant walk along the coast.
It is delightfully empty at this of year, with just the occasional beachside bar open, to allow the weary walker to rest their legs, and, of course have a beer or two.
Although the sun is shining, there is still a very stiff breeze (well, a small gale actually), so, it is necessary to stick to the sheltered areas.
Kathleen shows her domestic skills by rustling up an interesting lunch based on left overs. I manage to mess up by preparing (and cooking) one and a half very large carrots. This is deemed to be "far too much". My defence of "well you got the one and a half carrots out, and put them on my work area", does not hold water, apparently I should have shown "initiative" and known it was too much. Now, I am sure all of you men out there will understand that 28 years of marriage somewhat dulls your "Initiative" and "decision making skills".
Friday 6th February 2015
Even more sunshine, I temp fate and unload the folding bicycles and the scooter.
We decide to walk along the cycle track / footpath, to the next place, north along the coast, Orpresa del Mar.
This good intention is foiled because, after about 1.5 miles, we find the route blocked by works to install what appear to be very large drainage pipes.
We head back into Benicassim, via a rather interesting "Chinese bazaar". I have not seen this kind of store in the UK, but, they appear to fairly common in Spain. After about 20 minutes we emerge with a carrier bag of things we probably do not need (ie cycle cover, six shot glasses, a pack of curtain rings (wait, all will become clear), two food storage containers), the total at the checkout is 7Euro, I will just have to go back tomorrow, it is cheap entertainment.
We find a pleasant bar. I decide to have hot chocolate, it is incredible, it is like drinking a melted chocolate bar. I am afraid to take too long, in case it solidifies in the cup!
We find the bar is in the town's, free, WiFi hotspot, which we registered for on Monday, but, we do not have out User-id and password with us, so, cannot use it. Not that I would have dared take time out from drinking the hot chocolate!
Now, earlier, I mentioned a pack of curtain rings, why you may ask, other than the fact they were cheap, would we want, or need, curtain rings?
Well Kathleen's latest obsession, sorry, I mean past-time, is making tea-cosies.
The third one is currently in progress.
For some days, the subject of how to "finish off" the top has been causing Kathleen major strife, and, I mean strife on a scale similar, but worse than, Angela Merkel's worries about the Greek debt problem.
Apparently, the usual "pom-pom" will not cut it, so, today, in the Chinese Bazaar, a solution is found. A plastic curtain ring, wrapped in (matching of course) wool, will do nicely.
Perhaps Angela Merkel should visit a Chinese Bazaar?
I have spotted (via google) a Belgian Restaurant. Remembering how much we enjoyed the Belgian Restaurant in Roquetas de Mar, I have a ride out on the scooter to check out the possibilities for lunch on Sunday. Sadly, it appears rather disappointing, more working mas café than Restaurant, probably a good job I checked, I would have hated to have walked two miles on Sunday, to find it!
Monday 2nd February 2015
Weather Bright and sunny, but, it is no warmer, frost on the outside of the van windows when we wake up, so, we leave Camping Les Medes, heading south for Cambrils.
A nightmarish journey, in which, I think the moral of the story is, either leave the sat-nav to do it's job, or, switch it off, do not alternate between following the sat-nav instructions and doing your own thing.
We eventually arrive at Camping Joan, Cambrils, 160 miles later.
We eventually get parked, after (mostly) dodging the low trees, two other vans, which arrived with us, have given up and left, we should have done the same!
Surprise, surprise, we are parked next to a couple from Newcastle (Keith and Dot)!, they seem to have had a catalogue of disasters, including the failure of the domestic electrical system in the van, and, having the waste water outlet damaged. The local Campervan Garage have managed to fix the Electrics, but, they are having to wait for a part to fix the waste water outlet.
Cambrils is a pleasant place, but just about deserted at this time of year.
The weather is mild enough for a pleasant walk along the promenade, to give us a little exercise after sitting in the van for several days.
By evening, it is quite cold, only 5C outside.
The Electric Hook-up here is a rather poor 6amps, so, we have to alternate between using our limited gas supply and the Electric supply to keep warm.
Tuesday 3rd February 2015
It is still cold, plus, now it is raining and blowing a gale.
Kathleen borrows a pair of ladders from one of the onsite workmen, and using Duct tape, kindly supplied by our neighbour Keith, I am able to make a temporary repair to the damage from hitting one of the lower overhanging trees.
We set off for Benicassim.
The bad news is, the howling gale is blowing off the land, so, we get a real buffeting.
Kathleen is not a happy passenger, a few "hail Marys" are being said I think, she certainly makes no comment on the route!
At one stage, I do think of offering advice on what to do if we should be blown over, since the van would fall on "her" side, but, decide, best to keep quiet!
So, 100 wind battered miles later, we arrive at Bonterra Park, Benicassim, they have spaces, the sun is shining, it is 17C.
I am delegated the task of making lunch, using our outside gas stove, with Kathleen assisting as "sous chef".
The problem with Kathleen acting as "sous chef", is, she does not understand the principle that the "sous chef" does as instructed, ie, the response to "I need a stirring spoon", is "yes chef", not, "can't you see I am topping up my sun tan".
Eventually, despite the difficulties, I have lunch cooked, and soon, we are eating outside and having a glass or two of red wine.
Saturday 31st January 2015
In Narbonne, a bright and sunny day, but a cool 6C.
Today is our 28th Wedding anniversary, quite fitting that we should be spending it in Narbonne, we have spent lots of time here on various holidays and campervan trips.
A pleasant walk into town, do the obligatory check out the church mass times, for Kathleen, a browse around the indoor market, coffee and a sandwich, whilst watching the French being their usually laid-back selves.
For a short time, it appears we are about to have downpour, with spectacular clouds, but, soon it is all blue sky again.
On the Narbonne Aire, there is a decent power supply, so, Kathleen decides to attempt hair washing, in the van.
Now, this may not seem very exciting, to anyone reading this. who does not know Kathleen, but, to those who do.........
Disaster strikes, hair is all washed, just about to begin the conditioning and rinsing operation, and, the wash basin waste pipe becomes detached, soapy water everywhere!
Fortunately, I am on-hand, and able to reconnect the pipe pretty quickly.
Calm returns, and the French National Grid just have to put another Nuclear Power Station online to allow hair drying to continue.
Sunday 1st February 2015
A howling gale all night, gives way to a freezing cold (2C) morning, with heavy showers.
Kathleen walks to church, half a mile, bless her. I hope her efforts are appreciated!
We leave at 11:15, by which time, the sun is shining, but, the wind is still howling.
The plan had been a short drive to Coulloire, France, but, given the weather, we decide to push on into Spain, so, 108 miles later, we roll into L'Estartit, Spain, Camping Les Medes. A pleasant site. weather bright and sunny, but, only 7C!, barely warmer than at home, and we are now c1,200 miles south!
Thursday 29th January 2015
First the good news, the fridge is working on gas again!
Applied the Engineer's favourite "fix", turn off the power completely, waited two minutes, turn it on again, all fixed!
Although the Aire at Rugles is "open", and we have Electric hook-up, there is no water supply, presumably it is turned off to prevent freezing.
The rain poured down all night, this morning it is drizzle, with fog, and about a chilly 4C.
Given how much rain we are having, and, last years experiences of the flooded Aire in the Landes Region, we decide to go around the Pyrenees at the East side.
So, we head for Uzerche, and Aire we have used before, where we expect to find a full complement of services.
Three hundred and four miles, alternating between pouring rain and heavy drizzle, we arrive at Uzerche.
About eight other vans there, but, no electricity working and no drinking water. Toilets and emptying point are functioning however.
Friday 30th January 2015
Overnight the temperature drops to -2C, we wake up to icy ground, with a light dusting of snow.
However, it has stopped raining!
The sky is blue and the sun is shinning.
We head for Narbonne.
Now, anyone reading this, with a view to following this as a route to Spain, particularly in winter, my advice is THINK AGAIN.
This may is a very scenic route, and would be great fun in a good car, but, in a campervan, towing a trailer, in January, not much fun.
Snow on the ground for most of the way.
Not much traffic, but, that only made me wonder, (until we reached the A75), "has this road been gritted?"
Fortunately it stayed bright and sunny, if it had snowed, or been foggy, it would have been more than cross words.
Follow the well used route, down the N10 to Biaritz, then into Spain, heading for the coast via Zarogoza.
Arrived Narbonne, 8C, not raining, Electricity, water etc all working.
I think we may stay here until Sunday morning, thus allowing for the Church going.
Tuesday 27th January 2015
Left home at 08:30.
Weather, overcast, but dry, not cold, given it is January in the UK!
A totally uneventful 351 mile drive from home to Black Horse Farm Caravan Club Site, at Densole, near Folkstone. Arriving 16:15.
Kathleen has strained a muscle in her back again, so, she spent most of the journey lying on the bed, and indeed, falls asleep, for most of the way. This means I had only one female voice giving me directions (ie, the Sat-Nav).
Past experience is, this is the worst part of any trip, so, fingers crossed for an good time.
A walk to the Black Horse Pub, a short distance from the site, for a very acceptable bottle of Red, and a meal, the fun times begin!
Not sure how this map thing is going to work out, first time I have tried it!
Wednesday 28th January 2015
We wake up to a dismal January day, foggy, heavy drizzle and cold!
A short drive to the Tunnel, but, with plenty of traffic hold-ups, even in less than five miles!
The Shuttle is just about empty, we are put on the 09:20 train, rather than the 09:50 we are booked on.
The mist and drizzle continue at Calais.
The plan is to drive to Montoir-sur-Le-Loir, but, we know from past experience, there are limited (ie only one or possibly two) Electric hook-ups there, and, our fridge is playing up (again!) it will not work on Gas, which means we need Electric hook-up.
We rethink, and decide to head for Rugles, it is nearer (only 200 miles), and, there are more Electric hook-up points (about six).
So Rugles it is, 201 miles of drizzle and mist, turning to pouring rain the further south we go.
